Future of iconic Burleigh Pro WQS surfing event revealed

The future of the iconic Burleigh Pro has been revealed, after speculation the event could be moved from its home of Burleigh Heads.

INCREASING popularity could force the iconic Burleigh Pro surfing event to be moved away from its birthplace.

Since 2010 the Burleigh Pro, now known as the Gold Coast Open, has hosted some of the biggest names in world surfing including Taj Burrow, Julian Wilson, Owen Wright and Sally Fitzgibbons.

However an extended event calendar could see the event shifted away from its birthplace.

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Pictured at the Burleigh Pro held at Burleigh Heads surfing action and crowds . Gold Coast surfer Quinn Bruce . Picture Mike Batterham

The introduction of a two-day junior pro event will lengthen the already world famous event but Surfing Queensland CEO Adam Yates said that the event’s success could also prompt its eventual shift.

“The format changes have been in the making over the past couple of years once the event has started to grow,” he said.

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“If this event does get bigger, Burleigh Heads can only hold so much of the event infrastructure.

“There’s a possibility to potentially move the event in the future if need be.”

The name change could foreshadow a future move for the rebranded competition, with the event no longer associated with the world famous Burleigh Heads pointbreak.

“The reason behind it is that we hope it will open us up to more possibilities,” Yates said.

Yates also revealed that the event, which has been increased from 1000 to 1500 qualifying series ranking points, would be moved later in the year to better accommodate the WSL calendar.

“In previous years we haven’t always had the best forecast over that Australia Day long weekend,” he said.

“Moving it to a stronger forecast window in May will hopefully bring in some great waves.”

Kobie Enright (QLD) on her way to victory at the 2018 event. Photo: Surfing Queensland

Sunshine Coast’s Julian Wilson is set to headline this year’s male field alongside a strong international contingent that will battle it out against Gold Coast talent.

“We always attract a large field and an international field to this event,” Yates said.

“We want to give further opportunities to as many athletes as we can and especially those athletes from Queensland and the Coast.”

The junior pro is also set to attract Australia’s impressive young talent as well as surfers from Japan, South Africa and the United States.

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The Burleigh Pro has been a staple on the World Qualifying Series since 2010.

Beyond surfing, the open is set to feature an array of activities including a pro skateboarding event, live music and daily activations like morning yoga.

“We’re not just a surfing event,” Yates said.

“This event is now about the community and we want a community focus and building on that way from the main component which is obviously surfing.

“We want families to come down here to Burleigh point and enjoy the activities the event has to offer.”

The Gold Coast Open is set to be held May 7-12 at Burleigh Heads.